The lower prices may have been the deciding factor for HDB flat seekers. Units in Yishun were starting from $156,000. As of Wednesday evening, the Hougang flats were already seeing 6 applicants for every 10 units while the 2 projects in Tampines had 2 to 3 applicants for every 10 units.

Included in the launch were 2-room flexi flats, which are much sought-after by singles who are now allowed to purchase new flats directly from HDB but only in non-mature estates. As per other HDB flats, they have 99-year leases or shorter ones for the elderly. These popular property-types were almost completely subscribed for within the first day of the launch.

For young families and couples looking for a flat in mature estates, the next launch might prove worthy of the wait, with 2,910 units in popular HDB towns of Bedok, Kallang/Whampoa and Bidadari. The last on the list will probably be of most interest to buyers.

Applications for the current launch will close on Tuesday, 23 August 2016.